GREETINGS FROM SCHAUMBURG (WHERE?)

Yesterday I left with Bobby for Schaumburg, IL (a three hours plus flight about 8 miles from O’Hare, so I was told – and the site of the USBF TRIALS – women’s and seniors).   As soon as we and our luggage entered the cab we were informed it would cost us time and a half and extras (well above fifty bucks for the hop, skip and a jump to the Hyatt Regency).   Fifteen minutes later we arrived at a lovely desolate hotel (with ne’er a body in the lobby except behind the counter) – but of course, we decided to come in a day early to unwind.     It was, we believe, the same site used by the USBF a few years ago.   It had a humongous lobby with small dining area and snack and regular bars and a shop for sundry items.  

We had asked for a room on a low floor near the elevator as I, in my decrepit state (only kidding) have trouble walking since my knee scope.   The room was adjacent to the elevator (who could ask for more?).    The only problem was it had a shower (with no bottom ledge – with just toweling).  NO BATHTUB.  How old fashioned of me to expect both a shower and tub here at a Hyatt Regency facility.  Naturally, we changed rooms, to a larger one with both bathing facilities.   The room is lovely and overlooks the mammoth lobby.   After unpacking (which never seemed to end as you don’t know whether you are going to be here a day and a half or eight days because it is a knockout), I set up the computer (god forbid travel without my Dell), we went to the coffee shop (which they name the dining room) for delicious burgers and drinks.

Then it was time to watch the Celtics/Miami Game and before we knew it, dinner time rolled around.  That happens quite frequently with us.  The hotel provides a shuttle as nothing is nearby (and of course it had been reserved by the later guests who had the foresight to arrange a ride).  So, we ventured a speedway of traffic and ran across the highway to The Olive Garden we spotted on the cab ride in.   My dinner was good but Bobby later learned the cuisine he had ordered with our foreign speaking waitress turned out to be something different (but he was so hungry he ate it anyway) and the gracious manager took it off the bill.   I left a big tip — but so much for making one‘s self understood.  I hope his bidding is more intelligible.

When we returned to the hotel, it was crowded and we just happened to bump into Bobby’s teammates – Mike Moss and Mark Lair (to be rounded out by Fred Hamilton and Arnie Fisher and of course Bobby’s partner, Dan Morse) expected to arrive sometime today.

After a good night’s sleep, we are raring to go and looking forward to seeing everyone again as we have retired temporarily (for the last five years – Las Vegas being the last NABC for us – and of course the WBF in my hometown of Philadelphia almost two years ago where the WBF was held).   We are far from recluses as we play twice weekly at our lovely local club and the LV sectionals and regionals.

Till tomorrow – when the big events begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!